Clare Balding's Visit to Jarrold

In 1878, the first edition of one of the most famous children's books of all time, Anna Sewell's Black Beauty, was published by Jarrold.

The below illustration is one of a series of 18 beautiful watercolours painted by animal painter Cecil Aldin. These watercolours were commissioned by Jarrold for an edition in 1912.

When Clare Balding popped in to store to sign copies of her new book ‘Walking Home,’ we couldn’t resist showing her this series of illustrations!

The story of Black Beauty has always been close Clare's heart, as she had been given an illustrated first edition of this famous novel by her great grandmother. The illustrations from her book matched those that had been commissioned by Jarrold years ago and she was instantly enchanted by these stunning paintings.